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350 seized dogs by animal investigators will not be available for adoption for at least 30 days

Posted at 10:24 PM, Sep 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-26 11:14:39-04

The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center has received nearly 700 calls about people wanting to adopt one of the 350 seized puppies.

On Monday, animal investigators were granted permission by a judge to confiscate hundreds of dogs from a facility on Diana Street.

A county spokesperson said along with hundreds of calls, they have also had dozens of people waiting in line for one of the puppies related to the case.

As of now, the dogs are not up for adoption because they are being housed in a separate facility while the investigation continues.

ABC Action News is told that the dogs will not be available for at least four weeks — but depending on an appeals process, could be longer — like 60 days.

Due to an influx of questions from people around the Tampa Bay area, Hillsborough County has put up a link to some frequently asked questions about the dogs here.

Investigators say they got several customer complaints about Trish’s All Breeds Pet Grooming and Champion Sired Puppies for Sales.

“Some of the ones we looked at had hardly any teeth," said Animal Control Director Roger Mills.

The woman allegedly at the center of the investigation is known to animal control investigators.

Alice Holt has a history of animal cruelty charges that date back to 1999 when investigators busted the same location off Diana Street but under a former name of Toyland Pet Resort.

ABC Action News interviewed Holt in 2002 after investigators said she ran a puppy mill.

A judge then ordered her to pay expensive fines, and to not be around animals.

ABC Action News asked investigators how she has been able to work around pets again.

According to court documents, the owner of the newly named facility of Trish’s All Breed Grooming, is a man by the name of Robert Royers.

Investigators tell us that Holt would manage the facilities — but they’ve been unable to track down the owner, Royers.

We asked the Director of the pet resource center how Holt keeps getting chances, “I can’t really speak to that,” said Scott Trebatoski.

“Like I said, we both came on very recently, and our dealings with her, she manages the place out here,” said Trebatoski.

In 2017, ABC Action News did another story on the facility where Alice Holt was accused of selling a sick puppy.

RELATED: Dog lover brings home sick poodle, breeder ignores demand for vet bill money

At this time, it is unclear if Holt will face criminal charges for the 350 dogs that were seized.